What CytoSorb Therapy can mean for you
Our body is a very complex structure that works well as long as everything is in balance. However, it may become imbalanced and unable to regulate itself. When these problems occur, they need to be addressed quickly to prevent damage, i.e., extra substances in our bloodstream need to be removed to restore balance and enable the patient to stay healthy.
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When serious imbalances and associated illnesses occur, CytoSorb has been proven to help your doctor stabilize your system. CytoSorb can help protect vital organs, reduce bleeding complications, and promote faster recovery.
A brief overview of how CytoSorb works
CytoSorb works by making certain substances stick to it through a physical-chemical bond.
This is called adsorption. Think of it like a magnet that makes things stick to it and does not release them again. This is different from the process of filtration as used e.g. in dialysis, when specific substances are removed by the use of a filter medium.
CytoSorb adsorbs only specific substances and those that have a certain size.
CytoSorb captures only small to medium-sized molecules (up to a certain size) that have a specific kind of structure. Imagine CytoSorb as having millions of tiny holes that only let certain-sized molecules inside. And only those molecules will “stick” to CytoSorb as they have a particular characteristic: they do not like water.
The removal process depends on how much of these substances are present in your blood.
If there’s a lot, CytoSorb captures a lot of it. If there’s only a little, CytoSorb will only capture substances until they are in balance again. This balance is a bit like the way your body’s own cells control substance levels. CytoSorb is designed not to remove too much of the natural substances your body needs to function properly.
CytoSorb avoids catching larger substances such as albumin, coagulation factors, and immunoglobulins because they can't fit through its tiny holes.
The materials used in CytoSorb are friendly to your body and will not cause problems with your blood clotting or your immune system.
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CytoSorb works by making certain substances stick to it through a physical-chemical bond.
This is called adsorption. Think of it like a magnet that makes things stick to it and does not release them again. This is different from the process of filtration as used e.g. in dialysis, when specific substances are removed by the use of a filter medium.
-
CytoSorb adsorbs only specific substances and those that have a certain size.
CytoSorb captures only small to medium-sized molecules (up to a certain size) that have a specific kind of structure. Imagine CytoSorb as having millions of tiny holes that only let certain-sized molecules inside. And only those molecules will “stick” to CytoSorb as they have a particular characteristic: they do not like water.
-
The removal process depends on how much of these substances are present in your blood.
If there’s a lot, CytoSorb captures a lot of it. If there’s only a little, CytoSorb will only capture substances until they are in balance again. This balance is a bit like the way your body’s own cells control substance levels. CytoSorb is designed not to remove too much of the natural substances your body needs to function properly.
-
CytoSorb avoids catching larger substances such as albumin, coagulation factors, and immunoglobulins because they can't fit through its tiny holes.
The materials used in CytoSorb are friendly to your body and will not cause problems with your blood clotting or your immune system.
Here are some of the care areas where CytoSorb can help.
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Critical Care
In the event of major surgery, severe injury, trauma, or infection, your body’s natural immune response may kick into overdrive. This phenomenon is known as hyperinflammation – a condition where your system attacks the entire body, doing more harm than protecting. CytoSorb helps to control this response and stabilize your system, so your doctor can focus on the treatment you need to recover.
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Cardiovascular Care
When managing a heart condition, part of your therapy may include medications like antithrombotics, which help prevent heart attack and stroke by thinning the blood. However, in planned or emergency surgery, these blood-thinner drugs can pose a risk of bleeding. CytoSorb helps remove these substances from your system so that you can be well on your way to healing.
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Liver Care
Liver dysfunction may have a variety of causes, including inherited conditions, infections e.g. with viruses, obesity, and alcohol abuse. When increased levels of liver toxins, such as bilirubin, accumulate in the bloodstream, your liver and other organs may suffer from toxic overload. CytoSorb helps remove these toxins so that liver function can be recovered more easily.
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Kidney Care
Muscle injury or breakdown – resulting from trauma, infection, or medication – may lead to release of a protein called myoglobin, which normally carries and stores oxygen in the muscles, into the bloodstream. This can result in kidney injury. CytoSorb helps reduce myoglobin levels and can be used preventatively to protect the kidney from damage or to help manage kidney failure, alongside dialysis to support the recovery of your kidneys.
Additional Information
- Jansen et al., Crit Care 2023; 27(1):117
- Diab et al., Circ 2022; 145(13):959-968
- Scharf et al., Sci Rep 2021; 11(1);10190
- Albrecht et al., Blood Purif 2024; 53(2):88-95
- Hassan et al., JTCVS Open 2023; 15:190-196
- Chen J et al, Regenerative Biomaterials 2017; 4(1):31-37
- Waalders et al., Crit Care Med 2024; 52(4):e152-e153
- Bernardi et al., Crit Care 2016; 20(1):96
- Poli et al., Crit Care 2019; 23:108
- Gleason et al., Sem Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2019; 31(4):783-793
- David et al., J Int Care 2017; 5:12
- Kogelmann et al., J Clin Med 2024; 13(1):294
- Soltesz et al., J Clin Med 2022; 11(12):6517
- Rugg C et al., Biomedicines 2020; 8(12):539
- Szigetvary et al., Biomed 2023; 11811):3068
- Riva et al., J Artif Orgs 2023; epub
- Grafe et al., Ren Fail 2023; 45(2):2259231
- Hassan et al., Ann Thor Cardiovasc Surg 2022; 28(3):186-192
- Hassan et al., Ann Thorac Surg 2019; 108(1):45-51
For further information and help, please contact your doctor and ask about CytoSorbents’ therapies.
